The GRIGRI has dominated climbing belay devices for over three decades. Walk into any gym or crag and you will see more blue-assisted braking devices than anything else combined. But does market dominance actually translate to superior performance? Yes, the Petzl GRIGRI remains the gold standard for assisted braking belay devices in . Its cam-assisted […]

Temperatures dropping faster than expected and your three-season sleeping bag isn't cutting it. I've been there—shivering at 2 AM in the mountains, wishing I'd packed something warmer. Yes, putting a sleeping bag inside another (called double bagging) can increase warmth by 5-15°F, but with important limitations. The technique works best when the outer bag is […]

I've carried the Leatherman Skeletool daily for over two years. In that time, this 5-ounce tool has helped me fix a bike chain on the side of a mountain, tighten cabinet handles in three different Airbnbs, and open countless bottles at backyard BBQs. After testing more than 15 multitools over the past decade, I can […]

The Leatherman Squirt PS4 is a compact keychain multi-tool featuring 9 tools, including spring-action pliers, scissors, a knife blade, and screwdrivers, measuring just 2.25 inches closed and weighing 2 ounces. I've carried this tiny tool daily for six months, and it has saved me more times than I can count. After testing 12 different keychain […]

Ever watched your expensive smartphone sink to the bottom of a lake? I have, and that $700 mistake taught me to take waterproofing seriously. After 15 years of kayaking, rafting, and camping in every condition imaginable, I've learned that the right gear makes all the difference. Do dry bags work? Yes, dry bags are highly […]

Caving opens up a hidden world most people never see. The underground holds formations that took millions of years to form, from delicate soda straws to massive caverns that could swallow entire buildings. But caves are also unforgiving environments. Darkness is absolute. Temperatures stay cold year-round. Rocks are sharp and routes are unpredictable. Proper equipment […]

After spending 45 days testing the Sawyer Mini on everything from day hikes to a three-day section of the Appalachian Trail, I've formed some strong opinions about this tiny filter that's taken the backpacking world by storm. The question everyone asks: Is it actually worth your money, or just ultralight hype? The short answer: Yes, […]

Bug zappers work during the daytime but are significantly less effective. Their UV light attraction gets overwhelmed by natural sunlight, reducing effectiveness by 70-90%. Learn the best times to use bug zappers and what alternatives work during the day.

After testing over a dozen different models, discover which chest waders deliver the best combination of waterproof performance, comfort, and value for fishing and hunting in 2025.

After testing dozens of fishing kayaks under $1000, I've identified the top models that deliver professional-grade performance without breaking your budget. From ultra-light transport to high-capacity stability, these kayaks excel in real-world fishing conditions.